Composition of sulfides from the Sierra Leone Fracture Zone (Central Atlantic Ocean)

An analysis of data on the location of hydrothermal fields, seismicity, and satellite altimetry evidences that in mid-ocean ridges with low spreading rate hydrothermal fields tend to be grouped in areas with generally low seismic activity and at intersections of discontinuities and rift zones. Based on this assumption, the Sierra Leone Fracture Zone was studied in 2000 during Cruise 22 of R/V Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov. A study of gabbrodolerite and dolerite showed that sulfide ore minerals in them were formed both by hydrothermal and magmatic processes. An analysis of melt inclusions demonstrated that magmatic complexes formed from a high-temperature (1210-1255°C) low-potassium melt of the N-MORB type. Investigations of fluid inclusions revealed that gabbro and dolerite formed under influence of an active hydrothermal system at temperature 205-226°C. Thus, the Sierra Leone Fracture Zone is considered to be perspective for a discovery of a new hydrothermal field.

Chemical composition of ultrabasites and composing minerals from the Tonga Trench

A petrologic-geochemical study (petrochemistry, contents of siderophile and certain lithophile elements, composition of rock-forming silicates and accessory chrome spinels) of ultrabasic rocks dredged from the arc side in the northern end of the Tonga deep-sea trench has been carried out. The ultrabasites included harzburgites and dunites. Peridotites show clearly manifested material characteristics of ultrabasic relicts strongly depleted in low-temperature basaltic components. It is suggested that they have arose in the high degree of partial melting (about 30%) of a matrix mantle source of the lherzolite type. Great similarity of the rocks studied with ultrabasites of many ophiolites that are widespread in folded belts indicates that young island arcs are among the most likely geodynamic environments of ophiolite generation.